Climate Lobbying Group Hopes To Expand Into Northern Utah

A climate change lobbying group with chapters in the United States and Canada is hoping to expand into Northern Utah. Citizens Climate Lobby engages non-partisan lobbying for a federal tax on carbon-based fuels.

“We think this market-based, revenue neutral approach stands the best chance of appealing to both liberals and conservatives in making its way through Congress and into law,” said Ben Mates, a member of the CCL group in Salt Lake City.

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Mates will join other members of CCL during a public meeting in Northern Utah. He said the organization is looking to expand the number of members in Utah to include at least one CCL group in each of Utah’s four congressional districts. To realize that goal in Utah’s first congressional district, Mates said the meeting will be held to educate the public about the need to engage politicians in finding ways to create a stable climate.

“One of the purposes of the CCL is to empower individuals to have breakthroughs in exercising their personal and political power. We contact and meet with members of Congress and their staff ,” said Bates. “Utah’s U.S. Senators and Utah Representative Rob Bishop (R) need to know about the concerns of their constituencies around climate issues, and our support for a smooth transition to clean energy.”

Credit www.airquality.utah.gov

Mates said Cache Valley’s growing air quality concerns and the potential effect of human-caused climate change is cause for action in Northern Utah.

The CCL will hold their Northern Utah public information meeting Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Logan Public Library’s Bonneville Room.